Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!”

Luke 12:49

Luke 12:49-53

Reflection

Jesus tells his disciples that he came to set the world on fire and cause division. Family member will be divided against family member. How true this still holds for us today. While causing division rather than peace seems hypocritical of Jesus, it made sense then and it still does now.

Satan is the prince of this world, and so there are many temptations he offers us – power, money, pleasure. Jesus came so that we might follow him, but that choice to follow him will cause division, even between families. We are fighting against the many evil powers of this world. Many of us have relatives who adhere to the rules of secular society and disregard Christ. It is heartbreaking to witness, and sometimes may cause us to follow society’s calling, rather than Jesus’ calling, in order to close that gap between our loved ones.

We must have courage and stand strong in our faith, even when Satan beckons us to experience the “peace” of no conflict and acquiesce to an easy but sinful lifestyle. Jesus knew that choosing to follow him wouldn’t be easy, yet he calls us to this life anyway.

Ask Jesus for the grace to grow in the virtues of faith and courage, especially in the face of adversity. Pray for those you know who struggle to follow Christ and his path towards heaven. Jesus wants to set our hearts on fire with love for him – let’s allow the Lord to do so.

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Saint of the Day

St. Anthony Mary Claret: 1807 – 1870

“When I am before the Blessed Sacrament, I feel such a lively faith that I can’t describe it. Christ in the Eucharist is almost tangible to me; I kiss his wounds continually and embrace Him. When it’s time for me to leave, I have to tear myself away from his sacred presence.”

St. Anthony Mary Claret, Autobiography